Tag: pubmed

Eur J Pediatr. 2025 Feb 7;184(2):182. doi: 10.1007/s00431-024-05879-8.

ABSTRACT

The Surprise Question “Would you be surprised if the patient died in the next 12 months?” lacks pediatric research, particularly in neonatal patients. Our study aims to analyze the Surprise Question’s predictive ability in neonates and explore pediatricians’ views on palliative care patient identification. A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted from February 2021 to June 2023, including all newborns admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of a pediatric tertiary hospital and its pediatricians. Patients with less than a year since admission were excluded from final analyses. Recorded variables included patient demographics and condition, pediatricians’ profile and opinions regarding the Surprise Question, and palliative care patient identification. The Surprise Question was formulated to one or more pediatricians per neonate at admission, 7 days of life, and 28 days of life, with patient status recorded after 12 months to elaborate a confusion matrix of prognostic test results. A total of 51 pediatricians participated. Most felt they had limited criteria for identifying palliative care patients (55%), believed the Surprise Question could be useful (77%), and predicted death (75%). The Surprise Question was answered at least in one out of the three moments for 262 neonates (61% male and at least 36% preterm), with sufficient sample at each moment to study its predictive ability. High negative predictive values were consistent, with higher positive predictive value at 7 days (26%).

CONCLUSIONS: The Surprise Question is a promising tool for predicting neonatal outcome and could guide professionals in initiating palliative care discussions. The 7-day mark appears more suitable for this application.

WHAT IS KNOWN: • Previous research has established the Surprise Question as a valuable tool for predicting death in adults. However, limited research exists on its use in pediatric patients and its role remains unexplored in the neonatal period.

WHAT IS NEW: • The study evaluates the Surprise Question as a tool for predicting death within the first year of life when applied in the neonatal period. It offers insights into its predictive ability and most suitable time for its application. This study sheds light on its applicability in neonatal care, offering a valuable tool for early identification and referral to palliative care.

PMID:39918789 | DOI:10.1007/s00431-024-05879-8

Eur Radiol. 2025 Feb 6. doi: 10.1007/s00330-025-11388-5. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging biomarkers have become crucial in understanding and diagnosing neurodegenerative disorders. PET imaging allows for the in vivo quantification of molecular targets with high sensitivity, aiding in the study of disease pathophysiology and progression from preclinical stages. By visualising specific molecular pathologies, PET biomarkers enable a shift from symptom-based to biology-based definitions of neurodegenerative diseases, allowing for earlier and more accurate detection and diagnosis. This has significant implications for developing and testing new therapies aimed at modifying disease course. In this review, we will go through the standards of PET imaging in the evaluation of neurodegenerative disorders. Specifically, we will review PET molecular imaging of amyloid-β plaques, tau pathology, as well as the effect of neurodegeneration on neuronal activity in different disorders. Moreover, we will revise PET tracers targeting neurotransmitter systems such as the dopaminergic system which can detect early functional changes in movement disorders. Issues related to methods, image interpretation, normal findings and mimics will be an important part of this review. KEY POINTS: Question A review of PET molecular imaging tools for assisting the clinical diagnosis of patients presenting with cognitive impairment or parkinsonism and suspected neurodegenerative disease. Findings PET molecular imaging tools vary widely in their image acquisition protocols and image interpretation, allowing us to study different features of neurodegenerative diseases. Clinical relevance The majority of PET molecular imaging tools are currently in use in our clinical practice. Despite the differences between them, standardised visual reading methods and specific semi-quantitative parameters have been established, allowing for their use.

PMID:39918781 | DOI:10.1007/s00330-025-11388-5

Biol Trace Elem Res. 2025 Feb 7. doi: 10.1007/s12011-025-04533-0. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Livestock, mainly the bovines, plays an important role in rural livelihood and economies of different countries globally because they are a potent source of employment and income for workers and producers. Several viruses causing numerous deadly diseases have affected bovines over the years. Foot and mouth disease caused by the lethal foot and mouth disease virus is a contagious disease and has been known for hundreds of years, causing massive destruction in bovines, resulting in huge economic losses. To control foot and mouth disease virus, various strategies including antivirals, vaccines, movement control, biosecurity measures, and culling of infected animals have been employed, but these methods alone are not sufficient to fully contain the disease. Nanotechnology has emerged as a revolutionary field and nanoparticles have demonstrated superior performance as compared to other strategies highlighting their potential as an effective approach. They have proven beneficial against various viral diseases and are synthesized in various ways like physical, chemical, and biological methods. Nanoparticles have been successful in inhibiting the replication of the foot and mouth disease virus. Silver, gold, zinc, iron, copper, calcium phosphate, magnesium oxide, and ferritin nanoparticles having pharmacological and therapeutic actions have been used efficiently. This article focuses on the use of the various nanoparticles as a control strategy and also their use as nanocarriers to aid in vaccine delivery and enhance immune response against the foot and mouth disease virus.

PMID:39918774 | DOI:10.1007/s12011-025-04533-0

Int J Clin Oncol. 2025 Feb 7. doi: 10.1007/s10147-025-02711-7. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Prostate cancer patients receiving androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) have increased risks of decreased bone mineral density (BMD). However, there are no established guidelines for assessing BMD in patients with bone metastases. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of ADT on bone health by comparing longitudinal changes in BMD between prostate cancer patients with and without bone metastases.

METHODS: A single-center observational study was conducted from February 2020 to January 2023 at Kobe University Hospital. BMD at the lumbar vertebrae, total hip, and femoral neck was measured at baseline, 6, and 12 months using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Bones were classified into Metastatic Site (with metastases), Non-metastatic Sites (from patients with bone metastases), and Control (patients without metastases) groups. All patients received luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone antagonists or agonists plus oral ARSI or bicalutamide for 1 year.

RESULTS: Among the 78 patients, 35, 110, and 245 bones were classified into the Metastatic Site group, Non-metastatic Sites group, and Control group, respectively. The Metastatic Site group exhibited significantly higher T-scores compared with the other groups (P < 0.001). Repeated measures analysis revealed a statistically significant reduction in T-scores over time across all groups (P < 0.001). However, no significant interaction was observed between group classification and time (P = 0.817).

CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrates that BMD changes at non-metastatic sites in patients with bone metastases are similar to those in patients without metastases. Monitoring BMD at non-metastatic sites may provide valuable insights into ADT’s effects on bone health in prostate cancer patients.

PMID:39918769 | DOI:10.1007/s10147-025-02711-7

J Assist Reprod Genet. 2025 Feb 7. doi: 10.1007/s10815-025-03411-x. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Spermatozoa centriolar defects can result in abnormal zygote functions. Recently, a method to quantify spermatozoa centriolar defects was developed named Fluorescence-Based Ratiometric Analysis of Sperm Centrioles (FRAC). However, whether spermatozoa centriolar defects identified by FRAC can result in abnormal zygote functions was not tested.

METHODS: Here, we quantified spermatozoa centriolar defects using FRAC, and zygote centriole function was assessed by imaging Nucleolus Precursor Body (NPB) polarization which was based on the pattern of NPB polarization. Data was analyzed at couple and embryo levels. Subjects were divided into two groups: seven couples and 62 embryos with normal spermatozoa centrioles versus eight couples and 78 embryos with abnormal spermatozoa centrioles (140 embryos from 15 couples in total).

RESULTS: Patterned NPB polarization was statistically significant in both couple- and embryo-level analyses (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0024). These results suggest that the abnormal spermatozoa centrioles identified by FRAC may correlate with abnormal zygote centrosome function via NPB polarization scoring.

CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a foundation for more extensive studies to test for FRAC’s utility in assessing spermatozoa centriole quality.

PMID:39918763 | DOI:10.1007/s10815-025-03411-x

J Assist Reprod Genet. 2025 Feb 7. doi: 10.1007/s10815-025-03395-8. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Use of assisted reproductive technology (ART) could lead to abnormal pubertal development in children. We compared pubertal development in children conceived using ART to non-in vitro fertilization fertility treatment (NIFT) and unassisted (UA) conception.

METHODS: Children from the Developmental Epidemiological Study of Children through Reproductive Technology (DESCRT) were assessed for pubertal development according to the standardized protocol. Tanner staging (breast, testes, and pubic hair development) was compared between ART, NIFT, and UA-conceived children. Differences were analyzed using Wilcoxon rank-sum test, Pearson’s chi-squared test, and Fisher’s exact test. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess association between method of conception and pubertal development.

RESULTS: The sample included 290 children (164 boys and 126 girls) at median age 6 years (range 4 to 18 years); 229 were conceived using ART compared to a combined reference group of 29 conceived via NIFT and 32 via UA. Statistical analyses adjusted for children’s age, height, and weight showed statistically non-significant trends wherein boys conceived via ART tended to be in later Tanner stages for pubarche (OR = 2.33, 95% CI 0.44-12.21) and gonadarche (OR = 4.27, 95% CI 0.44-41.99), and girls tended to be in later stages for pubarche (OR = 4.29, 95% CI 0.40-45.62) and thelarche (OR = 2.23, 95% CI 0.35-14.03) compared to the reference group.

CONCLUSION: As ART becomes more widespread, developmental concerns become increasingly prominent. While results were statistically non-significant, we observed a trend toward differences in pubertal development between ART-conceived children and those conceived without assistance or NIFT.

PMID:39918762 | DOI:10.1007/s10815-025-03395-8

AMB Express. 2025 Feb 7;15(1):23. doi: 10.1186/s13568-024-01772-7.

ABSTRACT

The oleaginous fungus, Aspergillus terreus when subjected to random chemical mutagenesis led to isolation of TB21 variant with improved lipid content (78.1%) as compared to wild type (49.8%). The fungal wet biomass grown on sugarcane bagasse hydrolysate (SCBH) was subjected to one-step in-situ (direct) acid transesterification to optimize its conversion to biodiesel using a 2-level factorial statistical design of experiments. The process optimization revealed that wet biomass and methanol were the most significant factors and in a short reaction time period of 5 min with low methanol: wet biomass ratio (10:1) influenced FAME production Statistical optimization studies showed that TB21 exhibited a higher FAME content of 76.5 and 38.1% (w/w) from wet and dry biomass, respectively when compared to wild type (48.1 and 24.5%). FAME productivity (0.55^-1 h^-1) and a yield (66 gL^-1) were achieved when TB21 was grown on SCBH for 120 h at 30 °C. The FAME profile from the wet biomass of TB21 grown on SCBH had desirable amounts of saturated (77.7%), monounsaturated (7.2%), and polyunsaturated (2.4%) methyl esters. Physico-chemical properties of TB21-derived biodiesel were determined, namely, density(0.88 g cm^-3), kinematic viscosity (4.1 mm s^-2), iodine value (96.82), cetane number (55.31), free fatty acid content (0.15%), total acid number (0.3 NaOH mg g^-1), meeting international (ASTM D6751, EN 14214) and Indian (IS 15607) standards. Thus, the direct one-pot in situ transesterification reaction using wet biomass of variant TB21 strain showed improved production and quality of biodiesel with potential large scale application using the low-cost substrate (SCBH).

PMID:39918725 | DOI:10.1186/s13568-024-01772-7

J Orthop Traumatol. 2025 Feb 7;26(1):8. doi: 10.1186/s10195-025-00818-1.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs) with a large subchondral cyst have been shown to have inferior clinical outcomes after reparative techniques. Replacement techniques such as autologous osteoperiosteal transplantation (AOPT) and autologous osteochondral transplantation (AOCT) are indicated for large lesions. The aim of the study was to compare the short-term clinical and radiographic outcomes between patients undergoing AOPT and those undergoing AOCT for large cystic OLTs.

METHODS: Patients who underwent AOPT or AOCT for medial large cystic OLTs between May 2019 and June 2023 were retrospectively evaluated. According to their characteristics, 1:1 propensity-score matching was performed, and 65 pairs of patients with ages ranging from 18 to 60 years old were recruited. Clinical outcomes were compared between both groups with the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The Ankle Activity Score (AAS), time to return to sports activity (RTA), rate of return to sports level, complications, and results of a subjective evaluation were also collected. The integrity of subchondral bone and the quality of repaired cartilage were evaluated using the Magnetic Resonance Observation of Cartilage Repair Tissue (MOCART) score 12 months postoperatively. Second-look arthroscopy was performed 12 months postoperatively, and the cartilage repair was assessed with the criteria of the International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS).

RESULTS: The within-group comparison showed significant improvements in pain severity and function in both groups post-treatment compared with pre-treatment. Between-group analysis, however, showed no significant statistical difference between groups in any of the variables for clinical and radiographic outcomes, except for donor-site morbidity of the AOPT group, which showed a better outcome compared to the AOCT group.

CONCLUSIONS: In the treatment of large cystic OLTs, for patients with a chondral lesion of the patellofemoral joint that is unsuitable for AOCT, AOPT may be a safe and effective choice, with lower donor-site morbidity of the normal knee joint.

PMID:39918724 | DOI:10.1186/s10195-025-00818-1

Obes Surg. 2025 Feb 7. doi: 10.1007/s11695-025-07716-9. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to propose and evaluate a severity rating in obesity (SERO) based on a new priority index for bariatric surgery (PIBS). We compared the waiting time for surgery (WTS) in a simulated list of 200 patients diagnosed, classified, and hypothetically submitted to bariatric surgery using two prioritization criteria: date of inclusion in the list and PIBS. Our simulations show that patients spent an average of 350.44 days waiting for surgery while in the first case, when PIBS was adopted as the prioritization criterion, the WTS varied according to the severity of each patient’s condition so more severe cases waited an average of 82.56 days, i.e., up to 75.55% less time considering statistical significance in the differences (p < 0.05). Therefore, the proposed prioritization model proved effective, fair, and reproducible and can be used to manage waiting lists for bariatric surgery.

PMID:39918721 | DOI:10.1007/s11695-025-07716-9

Int Urol Nephrol. 2025 Feb 7. doi: 10.1007/s11255-025-04397-2. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Differences in metabolic profiles were used to search for urinary metabolic markers in patients with tubular dysfunction after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODS: In this study, 50 patients with renal tubule dysfunction 6 h after PCI were collected and urine samples before PCI were used as control group and 6 h after PCI were used as observation group. The urine samples were processed by high-speed centrifugation, filtered by microporous membrane, and the superclear was obtained for LC-MS detection and analysis, and their metabolic profiles and related data were obtained.

RESULTS: Compared with the control group, α1-MG, NAG and Cys-C in the urine of the observation group were significantly increased, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). After the urine samples were processed by LC-MS technology, SIMCA realized the visual visualization of the score plots of PCA, OPLS-DA and other models, and then verified by statistical methods, it was found that there were different metabolites in the urine of patients before and after PCI. The HMDB database was used to search for differential metabolites and 16 different metabolites such as L-ornithine, oleic acid amide, D-histidine, p-hydroxyphenyllactic acid, acetylmethionine, N-(2-furanyl) glycine, cholesterol laurate, cholic acid, 1-methylguanine, L-hydrochloric acid, homovanillic acid, alpha-keto-isocaproic acid, 3-β-hydroxy-D5-cholenoic acid, adenine, palmitic acid, pentadecanoic acid. Pathway Analysis in MetaboAnalyst5.0 was used to analyze the metabolic pathways of 16 different metabolites. Finally, a total of 11 metabolic pathways were matched. Finally, we believe that the biosynthetic pathway of arginine and the metabolic pathway of alanine, aspartate and glutamate are most relevant to tubular dysfunction after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

CONCLUSION: In this study, LC-MS technology was used to analyze urine samples from CIN patients and patients with coronary heart disease before and after PCI and a total of 16 different metabolites were screened out, which may serve as potential biomarkers to help diagnose renal tubular dysfunction. There are 11 metabolic pathways in the body involved in the occurrence and development of renal tubular dysfunction after angiography and the biosynthesis pathway of arginine and the metabolic pathway of alanine, aspartate and glutamate may play the most important role in the occurrence and development of renal tubular dysfunction.

PMID:39918700 | DOI:10.1007/s11255-025-04397-2